2002 GTS Final Edition Rebuild COMPLETE

[WSAYERS80]

Hey Guys.. Been a few weeks since I posted anything. I finally COMPLETED my 02' GTS. I compiled some of the photos of the build into a timeline. The car still needs an alignment however she is fun to drive. People love her lol.. It truly is a great feeling. LOUD, NOISEY, RUDE, OBNOXIOUS, UNFORGIVING, ROUGH are all words the best descried her personality. Not a very relaxing ride at all. I feel like I am fighting her. Few Questions from my 1st 2 weeks of driving her. 1st gear is a ***** and I often wind up in 3rd by mistake or just say **** it and go right into second.. Is this a common issue? Is it a possible clutch issue?

I am posting a link to my facebook album because there are over 60 photos and captions. plus for some reason I cant post photos on here. Comments and suggestions please I am all open ears and they will be greatly appreciated. I will also be happy to answer any questions anyone has that may be in the middle of a build or thinking of embarking on one.

Lastly I would just like to say that this has been a dream of mine since 6th grade when they first were introduced to the world I worked hard, took a gamble on a wrecked vehicle... Saved her from who knows what. I love this car lol.. Sounds stupid but Im Happy....

FACEBOOK LINK
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1426481337567599.1073741831.100006172381835&type=1&l=6201c4b68f

 

[ViperJohn]

Congratulations. Glad you revived the car. Post some pictures of completed car here for those of us who don't have facebook accounts.

 

[WSAYERS80]

It wont let me post any I will try

 

[WSAYERS80]

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[Indy]

Nice! Some people save orphaned Koalas, some people save wrecked cars. Great job!
First gear should be no problem, maybe your shift linkage is misaligned? Left and up will do the trick, so that's definitely not normal.

 

[lukegriz]

Congrats man, I'm jealous that you're through the process already! The car looks great!

 

[WSAYERS80]

Hey Luke.. I saw the hood your working on. Coming along nicely. That's not my area of expertise lol.. I just decided on a new one from dodge instead of finding a repair guy. Good Job though!!!

 

[WSAYERS80]

Did you happen to look through the album or just those two small photos?

 

[lukegriz]

Just the two small photo's for me. I'm not a facebook user.

I liked being able to see the color combo with the gen 3 10-spokes. Looks great

 

[G-ManGTS]

Looks awesome!! Congrats!! It's great to see it's back on the road and not in a scrap yard. I might have missed it, but how long did the entire rebuild take? As far as shifting to first, i do not have the issues you described.

Here's a similar shot of mine when i towed it back from the dealer about a month ago when i got her. Also towed by a RAM

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[Snake#36]

Looks like you did an awesome job ....Congratulations!

 

[WSAYERS80]

I bought her in Mid September. I Tracked down all the parts and would 6-9 hour days in my buddies backyard. I had it at paint November 2nd. They didn't finish till Mid December. They still need to fix a few Flaws. So about 3 months total build. GO RAM!

 

[ViperJohn]

Regarding the shifting problem: Is there any difference shifting back into first when the transmission is cold versus hot? Is the problem going into first happening when you are stopped and shifting out of neutral? Do you have difficulty shifting into first when the car not running. My initial inclination is the clutch, but wouldn't rule out a bad sycnro.

 

[WSAYERS80]

Yes I was Definitely thinking the Clutch. Car has 56k miles on it. Clutch pedal doesn't engage unless it is FULLY pressed to the floor. Problem is when I am in neutral at a light, or stop sign and attempting to shift into 1st. Moving its not really an issue to much. But Im thinking Clutch..

 

[diegoted]

great job! A true labor of love, it had to be!

Diego

 

[WSAYERS80]

Diego Your the guy with the Custom RT correct? How do you like it so far?

 

[denniskgb]

Great job on the rebuilt, i have been watching it from the very start. The car looks awesome. Are there graphics on the sills?

 

[WSAYERS80]

"Great job on the rebuilt, i have been watching it from the very start. The car looks awesome. Are there graphics on the sills? "

You mean Rockers? There is Air Brushing on the Rocker Panels.. My Girlfriend told me she hated it and I should paint over it lol so I didn't lol... Hhahaha I kinda likes it because its unique kinda.. Not sure if I made the right choice..

 

[denniskgb]

You mean Rockers? There is Air Brushing on the Rocker Panels.. My Girlfriend told me she hated it and I should paint over it lol so I didn't lol... Hhahaha I kinda likes it because its unique kinda.. Not sure if I made the right choice..

i would paint the side sills or rockers whatever you want to call them, over and cover up the writing. Less is more. It would make it look less like a fast and furious kids car, you know what i mean...

 

[WSAYERS80]

i would paint the side sills or rockers whatever you want to call them, over and cover up the writing. Less is more. It would make it look less like a fast and furious kids car, you know what i mean...

I totally understand. The people that bought this ca took it from Florida to MA then Painted a lot. I was actually thinking about leather lining the dash to get rid of the Interior air brushing.

 

[diegoted]

Diego Your the guy with the Custom RT correct? How do you like it so far?

I am like a kidd in a candy store, I love it! It is just what the mid life doctor ordered! LOL

Diego

 

[WSAYERS80]

I am like a kidd in a candy store, I love it! It is just what the mid life doctor ordered! LOL

Diego

haha LoL My GF is Jealous. I said im Taking it to a car show to morrow she is like " You gonna do this all the time?" I said it is a hobby, I like it and your more then welcome to join me. I Love it too...

 

[denniskgb]

haha LoL My GF is Jealous. I said im Taking it to a car show to morrow she is like " You gonna do this all the time?" I said it is a hobby, I like it and your more then welcome to join me. I Love it too...

that is how my girfriend 15 years ago reacted....now my wife and a complete ***** now when it comes to car or car shows.....just my 2 cents.

 

[AZTVR]

Yes I was Definitely thinking the Clutch. Car has 56k miles on it. Clutch pedal doesn't engage unless it is FULLY pressed to the floor. Problem is when I am in neutral at a light, or stop sign and attempting to shift into 1st. Moving its not really an issue to much. But Im thinking Clutch..

Have you flushed/bled the clutch fluid? Anyway, with those miles and unknow history, a installing a new clutch is not a bad idea. Search here, but, most people recommend the LUK parts that can be had on eBay. Also, I think that it is NOT recommended to resurface the flywheel; but, to replace it. I think that if too much material is removed, there can be issues.

My other input, other than the car looks great, is that the intake doesn't seem to be a great idea. Everyone in the car upgrade world spends bucks on cold air intakes; but, what you have there is an change from a cool air intake to a hot air intake. The air temp underhood is pretty hot, I would imagine, resulting in lower performance. But, who's to say how much loss.


_________________________________________________
Jim – ‘02 GTS ACR gray/silver -- sold –
( enthusiastic custodian for 8 years )

 

[AZTVR]

Oh, one other thing. On a red car, red overlays over the yellow rear turn signals look good. Someone that used to post on here a lot sells them. Search bluebatmobile overlays if interested. PM me and I can give you his contact info.

_________________________________________________
Jim – ‘02 GTS ACR gray/silver -- sold –
( enthusiastic custodian for 8 years )

 

[WSAYERS80]

Have you flushed/bled the clutch fluid? Anyway, with those miles and unknow history, a installing a new clutch is not a bad idea. Search here, but, most people recommend the LUK parts that can be had on eBay. Also, I think that it is NOT recommended to resurface the flywheel; but, to replace it. I think that if too much material is removed, there can be issues.

My other input, other than the car looks great, is that the intake doesn't seem to be a great idea. Everyone in the car upgrade world spends bucks on cold air intakes; but, what you have there is an change from a cool air intake to a hot air intake. The air temp underhood is pretty hot, I would imagine, resulting in lower performance. But, who's to say how much loss.


_________________________________________________
Jim – ‘02 GTS ACR gray/silver -- sold –
( enthusiastic custodian for 8 years )

I searched for a stock intake however I was unable to find any. I fount those on Ebay for $60 Bucks I couldn't say no... As far as hot air.. It is still getting cool air from the Ram Air vent.. My car runs about 185-189 Highway and 190-202/205 City. I know im talking water temp but I haven't noticed any change in the performace. I might be able to Mold one from Carbon Fiber. Or If I happen to come across a fabbed on I might pick it up.

 

[WSAYERS80]

Off to the ******* Car Show This morning lol

 

[WSAYERS80]

Have you flushed/bled the clutch fluid? Anyway, with those miles and unknow history, a installing a new clutch is not a bad idea. Search here, but, most people recommend the LUK parts that can be had on eBay. Also, I think that it is NOT recommended to resurface the flywheel; but, to replace it. I think that if too much material is removed, there can be issues.

My other input, other than the car looks great, is that the intake doesn't seem to be a great idea. Everyone in the car upgrade world spends bucks on cold air intakes; but, what you have there is an change from a cool air intake to a hot air intake. The air temp underhood is pretty hot, I would imagine, resulting in lower performance. But, who's to say how much loss.


_________________________________________________
Jim – ‘02 GTS ACR gray/silver -- sold –
( enthusiastic custodian for 8 years )

Where do I check and or fill the clutch fluid?

 

[AZTVR]

Where do I check and or fill the clutch fluid?

The clutch fluid reservoir cap is the black cap halfway between the yellow brake fluid cap and the left windshield wiper mount. What you probably need to do is bleed the clutch hydraulics system to make sure that there is no air in there.

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[Bird325]

I searched for a stock intake however I was unable to find any. I fount those on Ebay for $60 Bucks I couldn't say no... As far as hot air.. It is still getting cool air from the Ram Air vent.. My car runs about 185-189 Highway and 190-202/205 City. I know im talking water temp but I haven't noticed any change in the performace. I might be able to Mold one from Carbon Fiber. Or If I happen to come across a fabbed on I might pick it up.

If you're still looking for a stock Gen II intake box, PM me. I was just looking at mine that I did away with a few years ago and thinking that someone might want to go back to stock. I have 'smooth tubes' to go with it (also just sitting in the garage taking up space).